January 13, 1999
No FROG rosary
___A fascinating article (Jan. 6) describes the exuberance of youth and the WWJD and FROG bracelets. I have some thoughts for the 13-year-old boy who took a test at school, looked at his FROG bracelet and thought, "Fully Rely On God." The result was he received an A-plus on that test, for which he seems to give some credit to his FROG bracelet.
___The young man made an A-plus because he studied hard, as he should have, and it actually had little to do with the "magical powers" he projected onto the bracelet. In my growing up and struggling through academic experiences, I discovered a couple of things. First, God blesses us academically in direct proportion to our personal preparation. Second, God does not honor an empty, unprepared mind, no matter how many bracelets one wears or how many mantras one chants.
___This is not to throw cold water on the excitement of youth; it is to confirm that this young man probably is an outstanding student who had "butterflies," which is normal, as he faced his test. It's like the statement that has come out of the "prayer in school" issue: "As long as there are exams in schools, there will be prayers said in schools!" But let's not create for Baptists equivalents to the rosary and call them WWJD or FROG bracelets.
___God bless all the young believers! May their numbers increase!
___ Bill Simpson
___ San Antonio
Lay reconcilers
___Regarding the composition of the "reconciliation forum" (Dec. 23): The goal of this group is worthy, but I have a comment about the makeup of this organization. There are 67 members; 100 percent are "ministers."
___The Apostle Paul says, "... and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:18). The "us" is all-inclusive. Reconciliation is not the exclusive privilege or responsibility of "ministers." Where are the lay persons?
___As the ill-fated SBC Peace Committee was formed, I spoke to Charles Fuller about the paucity of lay persons. He just laughed. Is it not possible that the inadequate representation contributed to the eventual outcome of their work?
___Any group, if it has serious intentions, should include not less than 50 percent lay persons.
___ John J. Bryan
___ Waco
___Editor's Note: "Reconciliation forum" organizers acknowledge the need for laity to be involved. But since pastors launched and fueled the Baptist controversy, they say, pastors should take the lead in initiating reconciliation.
Conflict hurts
___In 1959, while I was a missionary in Korea, the Korea Baptist Convention split in two. As the result, there were splits in associations, churches and even families.
___The conflict was so painful and disruptive that reconciliation and reunion were realized in 1966.
___Church growth was rather stagnant during the period of the split, but the convention has grown from about 200 to over 2,000 churches since the reunion.
___The conflict among Southern Baptists is hurting the Southern Baptist witness, not only in Texas, but around the world.
___Reconciliation is highly desirable and possible if people of good will prayerfully seek it. Let us pray for the participants in the "reconciliation forum."
___ Albert W. Gammage Jr.
___ Arlington
Uncertain future
___I am uncertain about all the changes taking place in Baptist life.
___As an under-40 pastor of a young church, I have had little interest in the policy and politics of both the state and national conventions in recent years. There are very few, if any, people among our fellowship who care about what is going on in the conventions.
___I do care about missions and how our mission money is spent. We will adopt the Tibetans of Nepal as an unreached people group. Our mission budget is 24 percent of total giving. We want to reach our community and find the role God wants for us in fulfilling the Great Commission.
___I am too conservative for the state convention and maybe too moderate for the national convention.
___If only the state convention will take a stronger stand on being pro-life, depoliticize the process and focus more on what unites us than what divides us, then perhaps there is hope for reconciliation.
___If only the national convention will reach out to all Southern Baptists without compromise on the word of God, then perhaps there will be greater involvement on the national front.
___As for us, we are trying to find out whether we should keep on giving as we have been or find other ways that will make sure we are faithful to what God has called us to do.
___ Jim Daniel, Pastor
___ Fairfield Baptist Church
___ Cypress
Beach Reach '99
___God is really using Baptist Student Ministry to reach college and university students.
___Our BSM at Angelo State University and many other Baptist Student Ministries across Texas are getting ready to head back to South Padre Island for Beach Reach again this spring break.
___God already is giving me a heart for these people. I went last year, and it changed my life.
___Please begin to pray for all the students who will be with Beach Reach as well as the students who will be down there partying. Ask God to begin preparing their hearts for the message they will hear about Jesus and his love.
___South Padre Island is the devil's playground, and he's having a barbecue. All of us with Beach Reach aren't invited to the barbecue, but because we choose to serve Christ and others, with Jesus in our corner, we will overcome, and lives will be changed.
___ Kelli Burnett
___ San Angelo
'Pondered' vs. love
___In his letter (Dec. 23), Jeff Whitfield "pondered" the words of Baptist General Convention of Texas President Russell Dilday, "We Texas Baptists don't like anyone telling us what to do except God himself."
___Whitfield said, "But I wonder if we are more citizens of Texas than we are citizens of the kingdom of heaven."
___I think Dilday believes in the priesthood of man that has spiritual leaders but not spiritual bosses.
___Would Whitfield have liked for Dilday to say the opposite? "We like anyone telling us what to do except God."
___That's what the Hebrew people did when they told God they wanted a king. That's what early Christians did when they became obedient to a pope. That's what happened two years ago when a letter requested our missionaries to have "a confidence and willingness to follow the wisdom and guidance of God-appointed leadership, whether we necessarily understand or agree."
___Notice that Whitfield and the letter both said "we" but meant "you."
___ Rex Ray
___ Grand Prairie
Called home
___Many of us in Texas and all over our convention were saddened by the news that the Lord called home a wonderful evangelist and friend, Bo Walter Ayers, on Christmas Day.
___Walter had a wonderful testimony about how the Lord saved and called this most unlikely man into the ministry.
___He deserved honor and respect because he was a man after God's own heart.
___He came to a church where I was pastor and preached his heart out to us all. Several were saved, and other decisions were made. I was impressed when this man-- almost blind, his body suffering from many diseases but never complaining--taught us what a joy it is to be called to preach the gospel.
___Most people would not have left home because of such physical problems, but Brother Walter would do anything to get to share about Jesus.
___He was a humble servant who loved people and just wanted to keep preaching right down to the very last.
___His family can be proud of him, as he always did his job well.
___I wish I could see the big smile on his face as he is enjoying heaven.
___God called home a great and good man with a real servant heart.
___We will miss him, but he's not lost. Jesus has him.
___I thank the Lord for sharing a great Christian witness and example with us.
___ Robert Rachuig, Pastor
___ Central Baptist Church
___ Big SpringFrontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!